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What Is Qatar Return Permit?
A Return Permit (also called a re-entry permit) is a temporary document granted for those who have stayed out of the country for more than six (6) months, and his/her residency is still valid and has the prior approval of entry.
This document can also be used if the resident loses their passport or Residence Card while outside Qatar.
This article explains how residents can apply for Qatar Return Permit if they overstay outside Qatar (staying out for more than six months) or lose their Qatar ID while abroad.
How Many Days Can I Stay Outside Qatar?
You can stay up to 180 days (6 months) out of Qatar with a valid Residence Permit. To return after six months, you will need a Return Permit (re-entry permit) processed by the sponsor.
Return Permit For Residents Outside Qatar
If you, a member of your family, or a member of your staff, have stayed out of the country for more than six (6) months and the residency is still valid, and you have prior approval of entry, you can apply for a Return Permit.
Different document requirements depend on who the sponsor is. The fee varies from QR 200 to QR 500 again, depending on the sponsorship type. Here are the details:
1. For those on sponsorship of companies and establishments
This permit is granted to an expatriate on the sponsorship of an establishment who has stayed out of the country for more than 6 months, and his residence permit is still valid.
The sponsor can apply online (Metrash 2) or through MoI Service Center.
On Metrash2, this option is available under: “Leave Notification” – “Return Permit”.
Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:
Requirements:
- Submission of the application from the sponsor
- Copy of the establishment card of the company
- Passport copy of the sponsored person
- In case of passport loss, a copy of a Lost Passport Certificate and copies of the old and new passports is required.
- Fee: QR 500 (Pay by credit/debit card)
2. For those on personal sponsorship of an expatriate
This permit is granted to family members of residents who have stayed out of the country for more than 6 months and whose residence permit is still valid.
The sponsor can apply on Metrash2 or through MoI Service Center.
On Metrash2, this option is available under: “Leave Notification” – “Return Permit”.
Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:
Requirements:
- Submission of the application from the sponsor
- Passport copy or the ID card copy of the sponsor
- Passport copy of the sponsored person
- In case of passport loss, a copy of a Lost Passport Certificate and copies of the old and new passports is required.
- Fee: QR 500 (Pay by credit/debit card)
3. For those on personal sponsorship of a Qatari national
This permit is granted for housemaids and those on their status who are on the personal sponsorship of a Qatari national and have stayed outside the country for more than 6 months.
The sponsor can apply on Metrash2 or through MoI Service Center.
On Metrash2, this option is available under: “Leave Notification” – “Return Permit”.
Below are the requirements to apply through MoI Service Center:
Requirements:
- Submission of an application from the sponsor
- Copy of the ID Card of the sponsor
- Passport copy of the sponsored person
- In case of passport loss, a copy of a Lost Passport Certificate and copies of the old and new passports are required.
- Fee: QR 200 (Pay by credit/debit card)
Important Notes
If you lose your passport and get a return permit, your lost passport becomes invalid/blacklisted. You cannot use that passport in case you get it back.
The return permit has a validity period which will be mentioned on the permit. The sponsored person has to return to Qatar within the validity period.
FAQ on Qatar Return Permit
When is a Return Permit needed in Qatar?
If you, a member of your family, or a member of your staff, have stayed out of the country for more than 6 months and the residency is still valid, you can apply for a Return Permit.
How can I apply for Return Permit to Qatar?
The sponsor has to apply for Return Permit online via Metrash2 or by visiting any Ministry of Interior Service Centre.
How much does Qatar Return Permit cost?
A Qatar Return Permit can cost QR 500 (for company / personal sponsorship) or QR 200 (for housemaids).
How long is Qatar Return Permit valid?
The validity will be mentioned on the permit.
How long can I stay out of Qatar with Residence Permit?
You can stay up to six months out of Qatar with a valid Residence Permit. After six months, you can stay up to one year and return using a Return Permit. The QID should be valid during this period.
Can I go back to Qatar after 6 months?
A resident can go back to Qatar even after six months but will need a Return Permit processed by the sponsor. The Residence Permit should also be valid.
You May Also Like:
- How to Change Job in Qatar Without NOC
- Death in Qatar: Repatriation and Funeral Procedures
- MOI Qatar Metrash2 Registration and User Guide
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Dear Everyone,
Someone please tell what is prior approval of entry written under the table of content section?
Thank you.
Can we apply return permit after 12 months out of qatar. RP still valid.
RP valid. Stay outside Qatar more than 12 months. Is re-entry to Qatar allowed the same way as exceptional return permit ( even if RP had expired) was allowed in 2020. Lady at counter 1st Floor main MOI ( specific deptt for these issues) said before upto 18 months can re-enter. Can anyone corroborate or share his/her experience.
Hi sir outside country 14 months finished. Now applying re entry permit processing days? How tank days?
Kindly advise that the Birth certificate needs to be attested for On- arrival visa for a Newborn baby coming from India?
Dear,
My son’s RP has expired while out of Qatar. Still under 6 months period. I have contacted metrash and they asked me to apply return permit. But the error appears when I apply saying canot apply if under 6 months. But when I’m using a lost id option, the return permit was issued.
Is this ok for him to enter qatar? Anyone could assist?
Any update for your son re entry permit?
Hi Khano Jarkata,
hope you got the answer. i have the same situation. kindly advise me if you got any information.
Thank You
JM Muzammil
Dear All, for my family they exited Qatar and got the exceptional entry permit automatically issued having validity of 6 months. If they outside Qatar beyond 6 months how can I get the exceptional entry permit extended and also how to get the entry period issued for staying outside more than 6 months. Currently the Methrash-2 does not all applying for the entry permit- message the services are temporarly not available.
Hey , do I need a return permit because I came in kenya for vacation on November 6 2020
My sponsore not gave me reentry permit i can i come to Qatar
Dear I got job in Doha Qatar in Feb2020. Return back to home country for change of visa and QVC biometric medical and other verification after completing MOI qatar issues me visa. But the very next day lockdown was started and all flights to Qatar was cancelled.
My employer still need me and ready to get me on board.
Pls advise how he can get return permit for me.
Your feed back will be highly appreciated.
Thanks
Ali Johar
I have renewed the QID of my Daughter while she was in Qatar but i didn’t collected the QID card from MOI. Now she is outside Qatar and MOI can not print mentioning that she is out of Qatar right now. As per her printed QID, it has already expired in last week. Is it will be a issue when she is returning to Qatar ? She is out side Qatar only for 3 months.
Hi..is there any update on your case. Did you manage to solve. Plse reply so it could help others to know
My family RP get expired they are outside the country now RP expired Nov-2019 help with me the details of how can i bring him back to qatar:33220391
can we still apply for entry permit if outside Qatar more than 12 months?
hi any one help my im out of country moretn 6monht now how ot ccome back qatar now ples answer any one pls
Hi everyone actually I am out side qatar 7 month my possible my company mandob submit paper because my company blocked
What will i do if my passport number in my residence id in qatar is not the same with my new passport? The reason why its different because i applied a new passport here in philippines my old passport was lost in my employers hand.
It is not clear how you entered your country without a Passport. Have you gone with travel papers from your embassy as you lost your passport?
They want me to show return permit because the passport number and my residency number in qatar is not the same. My employer lost my passport so i go home with travel documents only.. they hold me here ik the airport .what will i do?
hi all, i wanted to get return permit for my wife. she is my sponsorship. so i applied through Metrash2. after finishing i saw one message it says we will issue the Return permit and sent to your email id.
my question is how long time it will take ? still i am waiting my wife is travelling on friday and i have to send her to return permit visa copy.
My wife and child ID expire when out country. Can renew their ID. What is the procedure to get entry visa
If you have to renew the residence permit of your family they should be in Qatar
Now Return Permit validity is 30 Days , Pl check with Authorities.
Can i apply for return visa for my family, when iam in india.
I mean if i am out of qatar, am i able to apply in metrash for the return visa ?
Hi. Is it working from India